Galley kitchens take their inspiration from the small, utilitarian kitchens found on ships and aircraft. Generally speaking, these kitchens feature two walls, with a narrow passageway located between them. In a traditional galley kitchen, the passageway measures anywhere from 4 to 6 feet wide, although larger galley kitchens may now expand that width and even feature kitchen islands for added seating, storage and food preparation space.

With small kitchen layouts, it‘s not how much space you have; it‘s what you do with it. From a narrow galley-style to an eat-in kitchen, here are design solutions for configuring your small kitchen for maximum efficiency and style.

Many homeowners who opt for a one-walled open kitchen design compensate for the lack of storage in clever ways. A large kitchen island is a familiar sight in a one-walled open kitchen, and islands can be a great storage option, as well as offering several other important uses, from seating and dining to food preparation. Some open kitchen designs even feature islands with sinks, to maintain the classic work triangle between the sink, refrigerator and stove. When it comes to storage, islands in a one-walled open kitchen may feature sets of pull-out drawers, cabinets, and even appliances or convenient features like a lazy Susan or pull-out garbage can. If a one-walled open kitchen design isn‘t in the cards for you and an L-shaped or other design is planned, you can still easily feature a kitchen island if the space allows.